Time spent at Camp is anything but boring. The silly games, fun energizers at Rally, and relevant Bible studies make for a fun-filled week. These activities can also push campers to try things that are outside of their comfort zones, but this stretching only helps them grow in their confidence.
When eighth-grader Aveah first arrived at Cho-Yeh, she did not know what to think. The thought of spending a week away from home doing new activities with people that she had never met was a little nerve-racking. Still, Aveah took a leap of faith, and it paid off.
“Camp has really pushed me out of my comfort zone. I’m pretty introverted, and I don’t always like to try new things. It definitely made me nervous, but I think I’ve grown a lot.”
Even though Aveah considers herself rather shy, she quickly made friends at Camp. By the end of the week, she would come to love sharing candy with her counselors at the Trading Post and laughing with her cabinmates.
“I’ve had to open up to people and make new friends. That was pretty scary at first, but I challenged myself and had a lot of fun.”
Aveah found herself surrounded by a community that supported her as she tried new things. Aveah’s cabinmates cheered her on as she challenged herself to reach new heights in activities, which helped her gain a new sense of self-assurance.
“As the week went on, Camp made me come out of my shell. I would have never done a Night Game like this before I came here. I wouldn’t normally have danced at Girls Night so much either. Now, I feel a lot more confident around people.”
Aveah’s time at Cho-Yeh also inspired her to step out of her comfort zone in her faith. She learned a lot about depending on God and reaching out to her community of believers when she is struggling, even if it means putting aside pride.
“Camp has made me think a lot about my faith. In our Bible Study, one of the biggest things I remember is that it’s okay to ask for help. I feel like I can do a lot of things on my own now, but I also know it’s good to ask God and other people to help me when I need it.”
A week spent at Camp is extremely different from the comfort of everyday life. While this can be scary at first, it’s also one of the fastest ways for campers to grow through immersing themselves in authentic community, unforgettable adventures, and God’s love, which is present through it all.
